Great (Or Not So Great) Expectations with Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) Part (II)

Initially, they will redistribute their position to bear weight more on the front limbs and other hind limb.

This can lead to overcompensation so it is essential that physical therapy be started very soon after surgery to help the formation of a “false” fibrous joint.

This is facilitated through early range of motion and weight bearing exercises.

The “empty” space fills in with soft connective scar tissue to form a new “pseudo” joint, which forms according to stimulation and stresses put onto it (Wolf’s Law) such as range of motion and weight shifting activities.

The veterinarian and physical therapist can show the dog owner how to do some home exercises, along with scheduled rehab sessions.

This can start immediately after surgery or 10-14 days after surgery when the sutures are removed, depending upon the surgeon’s protocol.

If you choose to wait 2-3 months after surgery to “see how it goes” before deciding whether to try PT, it will be too late to maximize the formation of the fibrous tissue.

Along with early physical therapy exercises, you can apply moist warm heat packs to the hip to help bring blood flow into the region.

Be sure to place a thin towel over the shaved area first, then the heat pack on top, to avoid burns. The temperature should be warm, not hot.

Plan for a quiet homecoming after surgery, especially if there are other pets in the house.

Place carpets or non-skid runners over tile or wood floors to avoid your dog slipping.

Pillows can be placed in several locations on the floor where your dog normally likes to sit, to help them ease to and from the sitting position.

Avoid the use of stairs initially and use a leash with collar or harness for the stairs when the vet tells you to resume.

Contact your vet for adequate medication for pain and inflammation, to allow your dog to handle the early exercises needed to maximize the formation of the “false” joint.

This new “pseudo” joint will not have the stability of a normal hip and running, jumping and hard playing may become somewhat limited.

But you can expect your dog to resume walking with near-to full weight borne on the limb, for fair to good distances, and to enjoy a comfortable high quality of life.

***

Susan
E. Davis (Sue) is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 30
years of practice in the human field, who transitioned into the
animal world after taking courses at the UT Canine Rehabilitation
program. She is located in Red Bank, New Jersey.She has been providing PT services to dogs and other animals through her entity Joycare Onsite, LLC in pet’s homes and in vet clinics since 2008.She
also provides pro bono services at the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown, NJ. Sue is the proud “dog
mommy” to Penelope, a miniature Dachshund with “attitude”. For
more information see her website www.joycareonsite.com , or follow on Twitter @animalPTsue.

Physical
therapy can do so many great things for your dog. Understanding all the
possibilities physical therapy can offer will change your dog's life.
This book definitely belongs on the shelf of every dog lover.

5 comments

Great advice, I'll have to share this with Bassetmomma as her Freddie has to have both hips replaced (he's only 2) - I wonder how the weight distribution works in this instance? (I think he's going to have one done first and then the other?)

With a hip replacement, the distribution should get quite close to normal I'd think. Though it seems that nothing that has been altered gets its full original function, with the hip replacement it should be quite close.

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